Special report: Tension escalates in Iraq

    BAGHDAD, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Iraqi police found at least 40 bodies in different neighborhoods of Baghdad during the past 24 hours, a well-known police source said on Thursday.

    "Our patrols found up to 40 bodies during the past 24 hours in different parts of Baghdad," the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

    The bodies were blindfolded, bound and showing signs of torture with bullet holes on different parts of their bodies, the source said.

    The almost daily gruesome body findings, assassinations and explosions in Baghdad and other Iraqi cities were seen as a major setback for the Iraqi government's efforts to stem violence and achieve national reconciliation. Enditem